McGinn joints other mayors on White House jobs bill call

Mayor Mike McGinn joined his counterparts from Newark and Salt Lake City on a conference call Friday arranged by the White House designed to increase support for President Barack Obama’s jobs bill.

McGinn

Obama announced his $450 billion plan earlier this month in an effort to help revitalize the economy – and to hopefully help reverse the downward slide of his approval ratings as the country continues to struggle in the wake of the Great Recession. Many Republicans have objected to portions of his plan, as have some nervous Democrats, who fear a backlash similar to what they experienced following earlier stimulus efforts.

McGinn told reporters that people in Seattle are worried about their job prospects and not about the debate over the federal debt limit that consumed the conversation in Washington, D.C., for much of the summer.

“I have not had a single person come up to me and say, ‘Mayor, what are we going to do about that debt limit?’” McGinn said.

He noted that additional federal monies would help offset anticipated state cuts, following this week’s announcement that Olympia now faces a $1.3 billion operating budget deficit.

“Does anybody think that cutting education and basic services is going to create jobs for us?” McGinn asked, and touted what he said were the benefits to Seattle from the last round of federal spending, including replacing the South Park Bridge, improving Mercer Avenue, neighborhood grants and job training investment.

“Again and again when I look at what the bright spots are in our local economy..it’s been because President Obama stepped up,” McGinn said.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker said the White House consulted with mayors across the country for ideas.

“Now the rubber hits the road, we really need to get this passed,” Booker said.

Ralph Becker, the Salt Lake City mayor, said unlike Congress, the people who lead the nation’s cities are in agreement about the need to spend more to improve local situation.

“We are completely united. We need to make common sense decisions every day about tough budgets…about the aspirations for our communities,” Booker said.